PHS girls XC wins CKL, boys take 3rd

A year after being denied the CKL 3-peat by Haven in a narrow one-point decision, the Pratt High School girls crosscountry team recaptured the league title by throttling the Wildcats 27-41. “The girls took care of business this year,” PHS head coach Kathy Hitz said.The Pratt High boys, despite not running at full strength, were able to manage a 3rd place finish among a strong field of CKL teams.

Comment

By Neil DePew

PrattTribune - Pratt, KS

By Neil DePew

Posted Oct. 18, 2013 at 1:48 PM

By Neil DePew
Posted Oct. 18, 2013 at 1:48 PM

Hesston

A year after being denied the CKL 3-peat by Haven in a narrow one-point decision, the Pratt High School girls crosscountry team recaptured the league title by throttling the Wildcats 27-41. “The girls took care of business this year,” PHS head coach Kathy Hitz said.

The Pratt High boys, despite not running at full strength, were able to manage a 3rd place finish among a strong field of CKL teams. With 82 points, the Greenbacks trailed only Hesston (43) and Halstead (49). “We competed well,” Hitz said of the boys effort.

The top individual finisher for the Frogs of Distance was freshman Halle Helfrich who took 2nd (15:04) behind Hillsboro standout Emily Sechrist.

A pair of Lady Greenbacks joined Helfrich on the All-League medal stand. Adele Loomis and Nichole Moreland went 6-7 (16:07,16:08) to put Pratt in the team standings driver’s seat.

Cassidy Cronister took 15th (16:56) and Morgan Strong 23rd (17:49) to seal the deal. Pratt also got very strong performances from their freshman pushers. Kara Nixon (24th 17:55) was right behind Strong, and Tori Hassler (26th 18:06 was only another spot back.

The girls team got high finishes out of their leaders, and their supporting cast grouped up well—a good formula for success.

The boys were able to pull off a 3rd place team finish despite lead runner Joseph Loomis competing at less than 100% as he recovers from an injury. Top runner for Pratt was Brendan Pribil who took 14th (18:30). Zach Will was 16th (18:48). Brody Cronister, Joseph Loomis and Chance Reh rounded out the Greenback scoring, taking 18th (18:49), 19th (19:05) and 20th (19:11) respectively. “The boys packed up nicely,” observed Coach Hitz.

Pushers for PHS were Will Fellhoelter (24th 19:17) and Caleb Hitz (36th 19:39).